Cheney Spine Surgery: Former VP In Hospital

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Dick Cheney underwent elective back surgery Thursday, a procedure his office said "went well."

"He is having dinner in his hospital room with Mrs. (Lynne) Cheney and expects to be released soon," Cheney spokeswoman Lucy Tutwiler said in a statement Thursday evening.

Cheney, 68, underwent the operation at George Washington University Hospital to deal with lumbar spinal stenosis, a common cause of lower back pain in older adults.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal – the passage for the spinal cord – which in turn puts pressure on nerves, causing pain. Surgery is done to widen the passage and ease that pressure, typically by removing a bit of the vertebra.

Dr. Anthony Caputy, chairman of the hospital's neurosurgery department, performed the operation.

Cheney has had four heart attacks, starting when he was 37. He has had quadruple bypass surgery and two artery-clearing angioplasties. In 2001, he had a pacemaker implanted in his chest.

Comments

[old lady]

5 deferrments and leaving the white house in a wheelchair says he never had a spine. Docs were attempting an implant.

[fed up in kansas]

I like to see his insurance policy. Just how much will Dick have in co-pay? Dick had a spine. He just needed a heart.

[ThankGodhesgone]

Who paid for his multiple surgeries. Surely, not the taxpayers.

[vascopyjama]

This has to be rubbish. How can you have an operation on your spine if you don't have one to begin with?

[Intelligentia]

God give him a long life so that he can see how a country is well-run. That which he was incapable of doing as the President (a.k.a. Vice President).

[Harvo]

With any luck at all the universe will let kharma in the door.

[TruthToPower20]

After all he's done for us picking up the tab is the least we could do.

[Mark Twaine]

... remember him in your prayers and don't forget to send him a card ...

[nellpost]

I'm praying, all right....

[AtheistUS]

Cheney is a symbol of worst that happened in last eight years. He should be in prison by now, but he has his own admirers, relatives who are offended by any critique, and he alone could not accomplish all that was done.

Democrats were in large part complicit and went along with Iraq war in 2002/2003. Approximately half of democratic senators voted for, let me say it simply, for Iraq war in 2002. Many of them then had run later for president or VP nomination from democratic party.

All of them have also admirers, devoted voter base etc...

Majority of citizens approved Iraq invasion at that time, and then elected Bush (without court).

So, health of Cheney is least of our concerns. I personally wish he lives as long as possible as a live walking evidence and relict of dark time.

[Mark Twaine]

nothing terminal? darn

[cleveyucks]

Are they removing the tail?

[Moliere]

good one

[Ventoi]

Flawed market design...
mentioned in the same line as a word that means gas to me (Enron)...

only moments ago...I'd invented the freshener stick...
you wave it behind yourself...
when those moments occur in your cubicle at work;.

[elizlucinda]

I wish him no harm..but while you're at it doctors, please do a heart transplant

[E3grnMaRine]

I fear they are removing "the Tingler" to let loose on the public.

[apowskid]

The reason 'dick' doesn't want the rest of us to have health care is, it would deplenish his supply to our body parts! One could only hope that the doctor on call would be Dr. Kevorkian!! Now that Mr. Cheney, would be true justice.

[imusintheevening]

I just found out that it is a secret plan to take Cheney's spine and transplant it into Obama, so look out you righties